Friday, April 30, 2010

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Today, I must say that I am very thankful for technology. I have been thrilled to be able to stay in touch with my husband while he is far away on another continent.

During his time in Zambia this past week, it has been wonderful getting phone calls from David, as well as text messages, emails, and blog updates, letting me know how he and his team are doing. I have heard stories of a missionary of old who caught sight of the ship that was bringing letters from his beloved homeland, only to watch it sink at sea. And then after that, through tears and grief, he wrote one of the great hymns of the faith. (So sad to say that I cannot recall his name, nor the name of the song he wrote. If you are reading this and you do know, please remind me.) How hard that would be to leave your home and family to go to a distant land, not knowing if you would ever see or hear from one another again. I am thankful that that is not the case today. We are still to "let goods and kindred go" for the sake of the call, but technology has made "letting go" a little less difficult and a little less official.

If you would like to see a more recent update from the Zambian mission team, check out the Bowman's family blog HERE.

The guys are scheduled to return home late Tuesday evening. I am counting down the days, so thrilled to see my husband again and to hear all about what great things the Lord has done!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Throughout the past day or so, the Lord has been tenderly reminding my often anxious, distracted heart to make sure that I am putting my HOPE IN HIM. Because of God's unchanging character, His concrete promises, His infallible Word, and the glorious resurrection of His Son, we can confidently place every ounce of our hope in Him; and therefore have peace and joy and hope abounding! (Romans 15:13).

I was reminded this morning by Ephesians 1:11 to hope in that which is to come, and not the here and now. And that this hope can be secure in the fact that God - in His glorious foreknowlege - has ordained every detail of life and will work it all out according to His will, His glory, and our good. Thank you, Sovereign King, for Your wisdom and kindness. May we hope in nothing less than You.

I got a text message from David last night (still can't believe that our cell phone connection is better across the ocean than across the parking lot!) and he assured me that all is well and that he and the team will be headed out to the "bush" . . . the more rural part of Africa. :)

I'm so thankful for Josh and Amy Bowman for taking care of our husbands. I pray that the guys will be a blessing to the them as well, and to all whom they encounter. I CAN'T WAIT to see and hear about all that the Lord does during this time!! I'm already thanking Him for it.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

I think that I too often take for granted the fact that all four of my grandparents are living and still so much a part of my life. Each of them mean so much to me, and I desire to honor them as they have sought to honor the Lord all of these years.

Well, today is my Pop's 83rd birthday. He is my dad's dad. I have so many dear memories of Pop, all of which produce smiles and gratitude. Letting all 10 of his grandkids pile up in his truck to go get ice cream or allowing us to help him pick vegetables from his prized garden, it seems Pop was always intentional at making memories. I am so glad that he was.

Pop is a wonderful man; one you are so thankful to have around! He can drive anything that has an engine and can do whatever task that needs tackling with his carpentry hands. He is quick to serve and assist others, and enjoys blessing others by meeting their physical needs. Pop has participated in many Carpenters for Christ mission trips, where countless people have been touched by his talents and service.

I, too, have reaped many benefits of the work of Pop's hands through the years. Four of my favorite and most meaningful hand-made blessings from him are the playhouse that he built for me when I was a little girl, the little bed made especially for my American Girl dolls :), the prayer bench that he crafted for David and I that was such a beautiful part of our wedding ceremony, and the cradle he made when his first great-grandchild was born.

Thank you, Pop, for not only spending time with your grandchildren, but for investing time into little things (and big things!) that have meant so much to us through the years. Thank you for being a man of God, who loves my grandmother, your children, your grandchildren and now great-grands! Despite health issues from time to time, you continue to place your circumstances into the Lord's hands, and you keep your humor all the while! Thank you for being so faithful to pray for us, to be supportive of us, and to even keep up with what the weather is like in our neck of the woods! You are wonderful, and I am so thankful for your life and what you mean to me. Happy Birthday ~ You are one loved Pop!

Once again, I was hoping to actually get this posted Friday. Oh, well.

Claire and cousin James, who was born one week after her. Their older siblings were featured as last week's Friday's Photo, so I thought these precious babies should get their chance to be featured too.

This day, seven years ago, was a most significant day in my life, indeed...a day that I reflect on with tremendous thanksgiving! April 22, 2003, was the day that I received my first email from my (what I had no clue of at the time and would have passed out with joy if you would have told me!) future husband. I remember the day so vividly.

My older brother, K.J., being a friend of David's - who at that time was serving as a journeyman in Zambia - requested that David add his sister to his prayer/update email list. (I think my brother had some matchmaking motives here...not knowing how things would actually turn out!) David and I had met on a mission trip 4 year prior, and I definitely new he was a great, godly man from our brief encounter. (And I couldn't help but notice his good looks! :) So I didn't attempt in the least to deter my brother from making sure that I was getting updates from this David Kizziah guy. (I will tell you that "mmm...Katie Kizziah...that sounds nice" crossed my mind very early on :)

Anyway, after receiving a few of David's updates, I really desired to respond. I did not want to seem forward by initiating a personal email. However, I did want him to know I was praying for him. I mean, being so far from home, an email from someone in "sweet home Alabama" - even if it was someone that you may not remember - would be a good thing . . . right? Well, I finally worked up enough nerve to write David, letting him know who I was (our initial meeting was so brief that even I - an unforgetful female when it comes to such events - don't remember the details!), how encouraged I had been from his updates and that I was indeed praying for him. I remember wondering if he would actually write me back. And I wondered if he did, could there ever be something "there"?...

Little did I know, that email from David would lead to personal hand-written letters and cross-continent phone calls, and eventually an engagement ring on my finger and wedding bells not long thereafter.

So I give thanks to the Lord for this day 7 years ago. Thank you, Sovereign God, that You are the Origin, the Author, and the Orchestrator of all love stories and romance. You ARE Love itself! Thank You for my husband, David Kizziah. Thank You for an internet connection in the remote area of Zambia where he lived at the time. Thank You that he wrote back! (Oh, and thank you, K.J., for instigating the initial email contact to begin with. I am forever indebted to you! :)

David in Zambia, 2004

I thought is so neat that today, of all days, David headed back to Zambia on a mission trip. He and 3 other guys will be serving as volunteers with the Bowman family, current missionaries to Zambia. The Bowmans arrived on the field when David did, back in 2002, and he served closely alongside them during his 2 year term. Please be praying for David and the team as they are in Zambia for the next two weeks. May they be used to assist and encourage the Bowman family, and my great work be done in their hearts and in the hearts of those to whom they are ministering.

Check out the Bowman's blog for updates on David and the team. And while you are there, get to know this precious family who is so faithfully serving the Lord in Luwingu, Zambia.

Another cause for thanksgiving . . .

I am so grateful for the Circlewood Baptist G.A.'s who are praying for my husband while he is away. These precious girls left such thoughtful, encouraging messages in the church parking lot in front of our home before David and the team left the country. This was SO SPECIAL. Thank you, Laurie and your G.A. girls!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Lately, the Lord has been reminding me over and over again that He is good, His ways are good, and His name is to be blessed in no matter what circumstances I may find myself. Though, as believers, we know the beloved promise of Romans 8:28, along with the glorious reality that our life on earth is a vapor (James 4:14). We are looking beyond the here and now, and instead "looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God" (Hebrews 11:10). However, we do indeed experience pain this side of heaven. Real pain. But the Lord's grace is nothing short of entirely sufficient, and His Word is the security of our hope.

But sometimes we cry. And sometimes we ask "why?" As long as we are not doubting the promises and the character of God, our tears and questions are okay. So voice the questions and let the river flow if you need to! I sure have lately. (David finds it quite interesting that I can cry so quickly, with such an immediate abundance of tears. My son has seemed to inherit this trait. :) But my heart has been consoled and put to rest by the Truth of the promises of God's Word . . . promises that we can take to the bank!

So this leads us to the verse that has already comforted my heart the past couple of days. I thought I'd spend the rest of the week meditating on it. Whether it is this verse or not, put your mind at ease by the Word of God. It is our only hope.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Tuscaloosa's 2010 Walk for Autism was held yesterday morning (Saturday, April 17th).

I was thrilled that a good portion of my family was able to attend and show support for our John David.

It was wonderful.

My precious boy. I love him so much.

TEAM JOHN DAVID!

My younger brother, Kameron, and Olivia (his fiance), John David (a little distracted by the big bouncy slide!), my Dad and Mom, and my older brother K.J. Ella and baby Claire didn't make the picture, but they were both very close by! :)

David and I are the humbled ones in the front. Humbled by God's grace and the overwhelming love and support we felt.

My precious sister-in-law, Lynn, made these team shirts, to my surprise. Thank you, sweet Lynn and the rest of the gang, for showing such love to my little boy. It means more than you could ever know...

John David enjoying jumping, waiting for the walk to begin.

Walking for John David! And all the other wonderful individuals affected by autism.

Team John David, making their laps!

So proud of our boy!

John David and his Big Daddy.

Though he walked some, John David spent the majority of the time in this favored spot!

The (NEAR!) future Mr. and Mrs. Kameron Pugh - HOORAY!

Kameron and Olivia are getting married May 22nd.

John David and Ella (my older brother's little girl). Ella is such a sweet cousin ~ one of John David's biggest fans, no doubt!

Ella ~ what a fun girl!

Lynn (my brother's wife who made the blue 'John David' shirts) said that Ella didn't quite understand. Instead, she wanted a PINK shirt with HER name on it . . . so, there you have it! But she supports her cousin, nonetheless!

Big Daddy, John David, and Ella, having fun together . . . as always!

Sweet little Claire, supporting her big brother, even during her beloved nap time!! She LOVES John David!

My precious mother. Thanks, Sweet T, for watching Claire while she tried to nap...okay, REST is more like it - not a very nap conducive setting! :) You are priceless!

T and Claire enjoying each other (and the shade!) :)

Girl cousins. They already love each other! (And I love how Claire is just chillin!)

One day, she will be walking too.

John David and Big Daddy. These guys are pretty tight, to say the least. And it makes me smile :)

Enjoying his new Walk for Autism shirt.

Tired. Precious.

It was a wonderful morning. Thank you, sweet family, for your love and support. We couldn't do it without you!

And John David . . . you are amazing! Daddy and I wouldn't trade you for the world! We are so honored that God gave you to us. He knew that we needed you so badly. We love you more than you could ever understand.

*Click here to see pictures from last year's Walk (and a few more photos from April of 2009.)

John David has grown so much.

*Click here to learn more about autism and how YOU, too, can make a difference!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

I (and my children) am SO THANKFUL that my husband just returned from a trip to Kentucky where he attended the 2010 Together for the Gospel Conference. He is unpacking and getting settled in now, the only reason I am taking time to type at this moment. :) The kids and I are PITIFUL when Daddy is out of town. Even Claire today was reaching for a picture of David in a frame, and when I let her touch it, she kept stroking David's face. Precious. And John David was asking for his Daddy from the moment that he left on Monday.

Thank you, Lord, for bringing David home safely. Thank you that he is such a wonderful, involved husband and father, that when he is gone, we all feel his absence and hugely miss the joy that he brings to our home. Thank you for blessing us with such a godly leader of our family. You are kind, dear Father. I am grateful.

Our Family

David, Katie, John David & Claire

We hope that this blog serves as a means of providing a peek into the window of the life of our family; our life that, as James 4:14 says, truly is "a vapor." We are so thankful for our friends and family near and far and hope that this serves as another way to share our life with you. We would appreciate your prayers for us as we seek to glorify the Lord in the midst of this vapor. Thankfully, He is in control of it all!

VERSE OF THE DAY

A Challenge to Parents

"Brothers and sisters, if you want your children to have a reason to sing on Sunday, you have to give them a great God. If you want them to have a reason not to sin on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - you have to give them a great God . . . Because a shrunken God will have nothing to hold them when their friends are offering them the pleasures of sin for a season. We've got to give our children a great and glorious God. We've got to hold out for them the wonder of who God is.

The importance of all of this is that if our children are going to interpret life correctly, than they've got to understand who God is. You see, it's only the being and existence of God that will ever enable our children to interpret and understand life accurately.

If you are going to help your children to see those things, you've got to be a person that is dazzled by God yourself. You can't give away what you don't posses.

Oh, let me urge you as parents, don't polish the idols for your kids. . . Help your kids see the wonder of who the Lord is. "

Paul Tripp

Giving Kids a Vision for God's Glory

Praying for My Children

AUTISM AWARENESS

Autism affects 1 in 110 children, 1 in 70 boys. Our John David was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at 17 months old. We praise the Lord daily that this was detected so early, for we now know how crucial it is to provide early intervention. So much of what has helped our son is what my husband and I have learned; and there is so much more we need to know! Join us in trying to learn more so that you too can help someone affected by this pervasive epidemic.